Closed Captioning Services, Subtitles & Audio Description

ACCURATE CAPTIONS. SEAMLESS DELIVERY.

SMV provides professional closed caption services, subtitles and Audio Description for film, television and streaming, with accessibility deliverables prepared to client and platform specifications

What Are Closed Captioning Services?

Closed caption services make film, television and streaming content accessible by providing synchronized text for dialogue, sound effects, speaker identification and other important audio information.

Professional captioning requires accurate transcription, timing, synchronization and formatting to ensure captions accurately represent the program and meet the technical requirements of the intended platform or destination.

SMV combines experienced review with professional captioning workflows to ensure every caption and subtitle asset is accurate, synchronized and ready for delivery.

Closed Captioning & Accessibility Services

Closed Captioning

Accurate, time-coded captions including dialogue, speaker identification and relevant sound cues.

Subtitles & SDH

Subtitles and SDH prepared and formatted for film, television, streaming and digital distribution.

Caption Conforming

Existing captions retimed and updated to match revised edits, masters and alternate versions.

Caption & Subtitle Conversion

Caption and subtitle files converted to required formats and delivery specifications.

Caption & Subtitle QC

Quality control of caption and subtitle files for accuracy, timing, synchronization, formatting and technical compliance.

Audio Description

Audio Description production including script development, narration, editing, timing, mixing and final delivery.

AUDIO DESCRIPTION SERVICES

What Is Audio Description?

Audio Description is an accessibility service that helps make film, television and streaming content accessible to blind and low-vision audiences. A separate narration track describes important visual information that isn’t conveyed through dialogue, including actions, settings, facial expressions, on-screen text and scene changes.

SMV provides Audio Description production from script development and voice recording through editing, timing, mixing and final delivery.

MORE THAN WORDS ON A SCREEN.

Accuracy in Every Word. Precision in Every Frame.

Professional captioning requires more than accurate transcription. Timing, synchronization, formatting and readability all work together to create captions and subtitles that support the viewer without distracting from the content.

ACCURATE TRANSCRIPTION

Dialogue, speaker identification and relevant sound cues are carefully captured and reviewed.

PRECISE TIMING & SYNC

Captions and subtitles are timed to dialogue and picture for a natural viewing experience.

PROPER FORMATTING

Caption and subtitle assets are formatted to meet project, platform and delivery requirements.

CAPTION & SUBTITLE QC

Final assets are reviewed for accuracy, timing, synchronization, formatting and presentation.

OUR PROCESS.

From Finished Program to Final Caption File

Every project has different captioning, accessibility and delivery requirements. SMV manages the process from source review through final quality control and delivery.

01

REVIEW

We review your media, existing caption assets, specifications, language requirements and intended delivery destination.

02

CREATE & CONFORM

Captions, subtitles, transcripts and accessibility assets are created, converted or conformed to the approved master.

03

QUALITY CONTROL

Completed assets are checked for transcription accuracy, timing, synchronization, formatting and presentation.

04

DELIVER

Final caption, subtitle and supporting files are prepared in the required formats for your production or distribution workflow.

BUILT FOR MODERN DISTRIBUTION.

Captioning for Film, TV & Streaming

SMV supports closed captioning and accessibility workflows for traditional broadcast as well as today’s streaming, digital and multiplatform distribution environments.

CLOSED CAPTIONING

Closed Captions · Caption Conforming · Caption Conversion · Caption QC

SUBTITLES & SDH

Subtitles · SDH · Subtitle Conversion · Subtitle QC

SCRIPTS & TRANSCRIPTION

Transcription · Dialogue Lists · As-Broadcast Scripts · Continuity Scripts · Spotting Lists

ACCESSIBILITY & DELIVERY

Audio Description · Broadcast · Streaming · Digital Distribution · Physical Media

Why Choose SMV for Closed Captioning Services?

40+ Years of Experience

SMV has supported studios, networks, production companies, filmmakers and content owners with professional post-production services since 1982.

Experienced Human Review

Professional operators support captioning, subtitles and accessibility workflows with careful attention to dialogue, timing, synchronization, formatting and presentation.

Complete Accessibility Workflow

Closed captioning, subtitles, SDH, transcription and Audio Description can be coordinated within one post-production workflow, from source materials through final deliverables.

Burbank-Based Post-Production

Located in the heart of the Los Angeles entertainment industry, SMV provides accessibility and post-production services for local and remote productions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are closed captioning services?

Closed captioning services create synchronized text that represents spoken dialogue and relevant audio information within video content. Captions may include speaker identification, music cues and important sound effects in addition to dialogue.

What is the difference between closed captions and subtitles?

Closed captions are primarily designed to make audio content accessible to viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing and generally include dialogue and relevant non-speech audio. Subtitles primarily display spoken dialogue and are often used for translation or language accessibility.

What are SDH subtitles?

SDH stands for Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. SDH typically includes dialogue along with speaker identification, sound effects and other relevant audio information while using subtitle-style presentation.

Does SMV provide closed captioning services for streaming content?

Yes. SMV prepares closed captions, subtitles and supporting accessibility assets for film, television, streaming and digital distribution based on the specifications of the project and intended destination.

Can SMV convert existing caption or subtitle files?

Yes. SMV can convert existing caption and subtitle assets into different file formats and specifications for broadcasters, streaming platforms, distributors and other delivery requirements.

What is caption conforming?

Caption conforming updates an existing caption file to match a revised edit or master. Timing and placement are adjusted so captions remain synchronized with the final version of the program.

Does SMV provide transcription and dialogue lists?

Yes. SMV creates transcripts and dialogue lists for captioning, subtitling, localization, accessibility, distribution and other post-production requirements.

What is audio description?

Audio description communicates important visual information through spoken description, making film, television and video content more accessible to blind and visually impaired audiences.

What does SMV’s Audio Description process include?

SMV supports Audio Description production from script development and narration through voice recording, editing, timing, mixing and final delivery. The workflow is designed to provide clear descriptions of important visual information while working naturally around the program’s existing dialogue and audio.

Does SMV provide caption and subtitle QC?

Yes. Caption and subtitle QC can identify issues involving transcription accuracy, timing, synchronization, formatting, placement and presentation before final delivery.

Need a Quote for Accessibility Services?

From closed captions and subtitles to SDH, transcription, Audio Description and supporting scripts, SMV provides the accessibility services needed to move your content confidently toward final delivery.

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Post-Production Services

UNDER ONE ROOF.

Closed captioning, subtitles and Audio Description are often part of a larger post-production and delivery workflow. SMV helps studios, filmmakers, production companies and content owners coordinate accessibility services alongside Master QC, mastering, file conversion and final deliverables. All from our secure Burbank facility.